Novak Djokovic defeated 24th seed Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) on Sunday in the Australian Open. Serbian committed just 21 unforced errors during the match while his opponent made 44.
Djokovic, who is vying for his record-extending 25th major, took two-hour and 39-minute to seal the victory over the Czech player at the Rod Laver Arena. With this win, the Serbian great has equalled Swiss legend Roger Federer's record of reaching 15 men's singles quarterfinals at the hard-court major.
A poor service game when 4-3 up threatened to undermine all Lehecka's good effort, but he was soon looking at doubling his lead when the Serb dropped the opening game of the second set to create a break-point opportunity for his opponent.
A familiar pattern was emerging as another sloppy Lehecka service game helped Djokovic break again in the opening game of the third set. However, this time the Czech player could hit back immediately for 1-1 with his first break of serve in the match. The 23-year-old Lehecka did produce some powerful games but Djokovic ended any hopes of a comeback by winning a tie-break for the first time in three attempts in 2025.
The victory ensured Djokovic his first Grand Slam clash on hard courts with his nemesis Alcaraz, who had led Jack Draper 7-5, 6-1 before the Briton retired from their fourth-round tussle. Djokovic enjoys a 4-3 advantage over Alcaraz in their ATP head-to-head encounters but Alcaraz has outscored him in their last three clashes at majors, which he has won two.
The Serb is eyeing a chance to become the oldest player in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam title. Ken Rosewall holds that record, having won the 1972 Australian Open at the age of 37 years and 62 days. By the end of this Melbourne fortnight, Djokovic will be 37 years and 249 days old.
Alcaraz is bidding to become the youngest player to complete the career Grand Slam in men's singles history. In a tournament where young guns have taken center stage, that 21-year-old Alcaraz can become the youngest champion at the hard-court major since Novak Djokovic at age 20 in 2008.
Earlier in the day, Alexander Zverev defeated Ugo Humbert 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals. The World No. 2, looking for his first Grand Slam title, will next face former Australian Open semifinalist Tommy Paul, who dropped just three games in a runaway 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 win over Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
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